Metallica Pay Tribute To Late Bassist Burton

Burton died aged 24 during the European leg of the band's tour in 1986 in a horrific accident - when their bus driver lost control of the vehicle, crushing the musician under tons of metal.

And the Enter Sandman hitmakers, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April (09), are certain the bassist would be proud of the rockers for the decades of work leading up to the prestigious musical tribute - because they never saw such an honour coming.

Drummer Lars Ulrich says, "I'm proud to say that after 27 years together we're still doing this... We formed this band for different reasons. I called James (Hetfield) because I wanted to play the songs of my favourite British bands. I never considered this. That's all an added bonus."

Frontman James Hetfield adds, "Clifford I would like to think would have loved this. The fact that we're being inducted - we're in a good space... He was a part of that. This is a big reunion for us."